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The Pittsburgh Steelers have a choice to make when it comes to their franchise running back, Le’Veon Bell. With Bell set to be an unrestricted free agent, the team has options:
- Use the franchise tag for a second straight season, paying Bell over $14 million dollars for one season.
- Give Bell a long-term contract, keeping him in Pittsburgh for years to come.
- Allow Bell to hit free agency and start anew, as the 2018 NFL Draft approaches.
News coming from the Steelers, and Bell himself, is the two parties are working hard on getting a new deal done. A deal which could prevent the team from having to even place the tag on Bell for a second straight season. However, the question remains where Bell would best fit in 2018-2019. At ESPN, their ESPN Insiders took a stab at where the talented dual threat running backwould best fit next season.
Take a look at which NFL expert thinks Bell would best fit, not necessarily where he would end up playing:
Jeremy Fowler: Pittsburgh Steelers
Matthew Berry: Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Clay: New England Patriots
Dan Graziano: Pittsburgh Steelers
Field Yates: Cleveland Browns
Matt Bowen: Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Sando: Pittsburgh Steelers
I have to admit, I agree with the majority on this one. I just don’t see a way the Steelers allow Le’Veon Bell to play anywhere but in Pittsburgh, for at least next season. The ultimate goal has to be a long-term contract, but if the team has to use the exclusive rights franchise tag again, so be it, but they would certainly be calling Bell’s bluff regarding his comments made about the franchise tag and potential retirement if the team used it for a second straight year.
There have been several fans who have suggested a trade, sending Bell to a new team to get anything from current players to draft picks in return. While there are several teams who would be willing to take Bell in a heart beat, the fact remains the Steelers are a better team with Bell, than without him.
And there should be no debate about that, whatsoever.